An application has been made to replace 1080 with “ashes from hundreds of possum skins”. The “method requires an understanding of how energies from the universe affect life on Earth,” the funding application said. “The appropriate alignment of Earth, Moon, Venus and Scorpio at the time of burning is necessary if the method is to work well and possums are best harvested at this time. The carbon from the burnt skin interferes with the reproductive energy of the possum”.

Money is being sought from Environment Waikato for a trial of the method. The promoter said “Lincoln University research in 1992 was cited by some scientists as having proved the method did not work, but added that researchers had not applied the ashes to damp soil as required”. Well, maybe here’s a research project for a promising student – I’m sure it won’t be hard to disprove this one and maybe Environment Waikato could stump up the cash.